12 South Farmers Market

Are Tuesdays the new Saturdays? They might be when it comes to getting your goods at the local farmers market. While this market may not have the popularity (on Unilocal) of others (really??), it, most certainly, should and, I think, 2015 is going to be a great year for this southern market. Wow, that was a lot of commas.
Anywhoo, this market is legit. First off, it’s smack dab in the middle of Sevier Park, so the setting and backdrop are beautiful. Not to take anything away from the driveway farmers markets of the metro, but you just feel more organic and connected with the land when you’re able to shop for greens in a greenspace. So, points for that. Secondly, the market is on Tuesday and not on the weekend. That’s pretty revolutionary. In a world where soccer moms, carpools and errand warriors rule the land, the 12 South Market goes decidedly left of center and offers up its good on a day with little competition. It may not be the most convenient of times for all but it’s worth the effort to get to… which leads to the third point: selection. This is the real deal: cheese (especially pimento), hummus, flowers, soaps, pies, chocolate, honey, vegetables, fruit, food trucks, live music, tots, dogs, fresh juice, floral lemonade… this is exactly what I think of when i think ‘neighborhood farmers market’: local, distinct to the area, lots of selection, people eating, shopping, laughing, and nose-​first into their smart phones. I approve. There’s plenty of parking both in the park and across Granny White in the gravel lot. Bring your ( Unilocal) recyclable tote and gets ta farmers market shopping. I’m hoping this is the year the Peach Truck and I cross paths. See ya on Tuesdays (in a couple of months)!

The only real downside of this market is the markup. If you are looking to have a good time, enjoy the atmosphere, check out what is there to offer and maybe have a dinner in the park, then it’s the right place. I love the area, the kids and dogs running around, the hammocks, the live music, the farmers. But I won’t go there for serious grocery shopping.

The 12 South Farmer’s Market is well loved, and greatly missed in the months it is not open. The produce selection is small but nice. There are also organic eggs and meat, and a good number of ‘other’ vendors — goat cheese, lemonade, coffee, fresh juice, soap, baked goods, gelato! Yikes. I’m a fan of the variety, though.
And they take credit card, and SNAP!

I have only been to this market three or four times this year after being a weekly regular in previous years. It is okay, but it is not as good or convenient as the West End Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings.
The parking is limited, and you have to fight for a spot within two blocks like you fight at Macy’s in Manhattan on Black Friday. Some of my favorite vendors are no longer there, and they do not allow a lot of the specialty vendors that sell at West End Farmer’s Market.
My recommendation is to only go here if you need something before Saturday and then get there before it opens and wait for it to open.
In order, I would rank West End Farmer’s Market number one, Franklin number two, and the rest fighting to avoid being the worst. Franklin would be number one if it wasn’t in Franklin. The drive is too far on Saturday morning.

This is my go to Farmers Market because it’s close to work and I can pick up our CSA share from Bountiful Blessings Farm at this location on the way home.
This year has been great! My favorite regulars: The Peach Truck, West Wind Farms, Bountiful Blessings Farm, Lucy’s Kitchen. There’s also a wonderful honey guy and someone who shows up with pints of berries. Other friends I know shop for their fermented teas and other beverages at this market too. There are people selling homemade pies, homemade pastas, jam, soaps, candles, hummus and the Grilled Cheeserie Food Truck is almost always parked down there. They’ve had a few small carts featuring ice cream from Legato Gelato and Juice Nashville too.
I’d say for how small this market is the variety is impressive. I do wish however that there were more produce vendors but I guess there just isn’t that much demand for it yet, plus I get my CSA and am pretty much set except for ‘extras’.
I love this market also because they set up amongst the trees on the grass so it’s always a little cooler, parking can be a hassle but I always walk down there, it’s part of the whole shopping experience — hiking around with huge bags slug over your shoulder. I think that it would be helpful to mention that you may want to bring a cart or a sturdy basket. I’ve gotten home to unpack pints of blueberries from the bottom of my reusable shopping bag, only to discover they’ve spilled everywhere.
To many more years to come!

This weekly little market is quickly becoming one of my favorites!
It’s a great alternative for those of us who frequently miss the Saturday morning markets (why do I always only remember at like 12:30 that I needed/​wanted to go??)
Many of the regular players are there (The Peach Truck, Delvin, Juice Nashville, etc) plus food trucks and fun bonus treats like a Legato Gelato cart!
Our typical haul includes some combination of veggies, gelato, pasta/​sauce, juice, pie, cheese and peaches.
Most of the stands can take a card using a square. Don’t have cash for the others? Buy some tokens at the information stand and use them like cash.
We’ve recently discovered that we can bike here from the house without completely dying, so if you see a bright red, sweaty mess wandering around, stop me and say hi!

The 12 South Farmers Market is a great afternoon market on Tuesday afternoons to get your veggies and local products in the 12South/​Belmont area.
There’s a great selection of produce, baked goods and other items like Juice Nashville that I like to pick up.
It’s near the neighborhood I have lots of rental properties in so I know my renters love it too!
Look for Purebread Baking Company, their sourdough is amazing!

This Farmer’s Market is small but mighty! It’s located on the edge of Sevier Park and offers a wide selection of produce and products. Saw many of my favorite local vendors (Roast, Inc is a tasty example!), food trucks, and farms that I recognized from other markets. There was also a woman performing some of her songs the evening that I visited which gave it a really fun concert-​festival sort of feel which I really enjoyed. This is really a great addition to the neighborhood. I docked a star only because the parking is quite tight and I wish that it was open later than 6:30 to allow for more time after work.

Welcome to 12 South and all of our greatness, and welcome to the 12 South Farmer’s Market.
The market features fresh, grain fed, all natural, organic, and CSA beef and pork through Triple L Ranch. There are several CSAs that bring their fruit and produce to the market as well, and all of the CSAs offer you the opportunity to join or purchase individually every Tuesday for the Farmer’s Market.
Meat, fruit, and produce vendors are not the only choices at the 12 South Farmer’s Market. You also have regular appearances by The Grilled Cheeserie food truck (always a fan favorite of ours), and by Juice Nashville. Whether you want to get your cheese on with a Melt of the Moment, or get revitalized and rejuvenated with Juice from Juice Nashville, I highly recommend that you try both while you’re at the Farmer’s Market in 12 South.
There are also local artisans hocking their wares as well. And you can buy seeds for your gardens. We don’t really frequent those parts of the market, so no real commentary other than it is available as a choice.
I supposed I should mention that the market is located in Sevier Park and that closing time is supposed to be 6:30pm which they regularly close up shop right at (technically they only have a permit to be there that long) but sometimes — just sometimes — you might find the market open until 7:00pm.
Overall, we love walking up after we’ve both gotten home from work to enjoy juice, grilled cheese, and buy produce/​meat.